Father / Daughter Golf Trip to Orlando

FrankRizzo · January 14

Hi everyone! Taking my 16 year old daughter to Orlando in April for her 16th Birthday. Staying at Hyatt Grand Cypress and plan to play two rounds with her while there (weekdays). She is a very decent player (varsity HS) so she can hold her own on most courses, playing from ladies tees. Looking for suggestions on courses and always have the best luck here on golfwrx. Some recommendations I have found so far include Grand Cypress (links/cypress), southern dunes (but see bad recent reviews), Orange County National, Metro West, Dubsdread.

Thanks in advance!

italianstallion · January 14

If you have a car a nice father/daughter afternoon out would be to play Winter Park 9 and then stroll along Park Ave in Winter Park, window shop, and then find a place to eat along the avenue. Dubsdread is a decent option if you're looking for 18 in that area, but the WP9 has a much cooler feel and more architectural interest for in it's 9 holes.

I'd stay away from Metro West. Greens are always in good shape but the rest of the course and facilities leave a lot to be desired. The other options you have are good as well. Links is wide open but a really fun golf course. I haven't played the new Cypress yet nor have I played Southern Dunes in the past year. I always recommend Royal St. Cloud as by far the absolute best value in the area, as long as they aren't aerating you won't be disappointed with what you find there.

sabram · January 17

Metrowest not in the same class as the others. Dubsdread is okay as a less expensive option, but not super memorable.

I don't know where you've seen negative reviews on Southern Dunes, but it's a great course and in very good shape

FrankRizzo · January 22

Thanks for input. Think I narrowed down to following three choices.

Grand Cypress (Old Course - Links)

Southern Dunes

Orange County national - Panther Lake

With southern dunes being in a development, does it still give a bit of vacation wow factor or more just like any decent golf course that could be anywhere?

italianstallion · January 22

32 minutes ago, FrankRizzo said:

Thanks for input. Think I narrowed down to following three choices.

Grand Cypress (Old Course - Links)

Southern Dunes

Orange County national - Panther Lake

With southern dunes being in a development, does it still give a bit of vacation wow factor or more just like any decent golf course that could be anywhere?

Compared to the other courses you’re playing, the latter. Being routed through a neighborhood makes it lose a lot of marks from me. You’ll find good conditions but not the visual sanctuary of golf you’ll find at Grand Cypress and OCN.

Philfil · January 22

3 hours ago, FrankRizzo said:

Thanks for input. Think I narrowed down to following three choices.

Grand Cypress (Old Course - Links)

Southern Dunes

Orange County national - Panther Lake

With southern dunes being in a development, does it still give a bit of vacation wow factor or more just like any decent golf course that could be anywhere?

Make the drive, spend the cash, take her to Streamsong for her birthday round! If you’re gonna do something, do that!

markheardjr · February 17

Orange County National Crooked Cat is one of my faves.

Celebration is a slower round but well designed for different levels of play (Robert Trent Jones Jr & Sr co-design, ranked top 30 courses for women and top 25 for family.)

Hawk's Landing is a good course with a shorter yardage. Close to your hotel and Disney.

Flacon's Fire is generous off the tee to start, not crazy difficult. Budget friendly-ish.

Disney courses are Diseny courses. You'll remember paying them, punch one out per trip maybe?

Waldorf Astoria is a bit more expensive, it has hosted the LPGA in the past. More difficult, if you go, make it the final round after youre warmed up and used to Bermuda grass.

Ritz - Home to PNC family championship, gonna cost you big $$$. Easiest course in Orlando IMO.

eddiecut · February 25

Any opinions between Southern Dunes and Lake Jovita?

sabram · February 26

23 hours ago, eddiecut said:

Any opinions between Southern Dunes and Lake Jovita?

Here are photo tours of Southern Dunes and the Lake Jovita Courses. Click on a photo to see each course

Southern Dunes

Lake Jovita North Course

Lake Jovita South Course

eddiecut · February 26

56 minutes ago, sabram said:

Here are photo tours of Southern Dunes and the Lake Jovita Courses. Click on a photo to see each course

Southern Dunes

Lake Jovita North Course

Lake Jovita South Course